TechLife unveiled the Pad Plus 12″, and it is positioned the tablet as a budget alternative in its line by offering a large display, LTE support, and specs that outshine some of its competitors. In this full review, we will walk through its strengths, limitations, and whether it truly punches above its class.
First Impressions, Unboxing & Positioning
The TechLife Pad Plus 12 aims at users who want a tablet that can double as a streaming machine and a productivity tool without paying flagship prices. Priced at RM799, making it an ambitious midrange offering in its market.
Visually, the Pad Plus 12 looks polished. It carries a straightforward, modern tablet design with thin bezels, a clean rear finish, and a large footprint that sets it apart from 8–10″ tablets.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Real-World Implication | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 12.0″ IPS / LCD, 2000×1200 resolution | Great for watching shows or reading across a large canvas. However, pixel density isn’t extremely high, so in close viewing, things may appear a bit soft. |
| Refresh / Touch Rate | 90 Hz refresh, ~180 Hz touch sampling | The screen is adequate for typical use with smooth refresh rate that is perfect for multimedia purposes. |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G91 (12 nm) | Capable of handling daily tasks, games on medium settings, and multitasking. It’s not a power-user chip, though. |
| Memory & Storage | 8 GB RAM + “extended RAM” (via virtual expansion), 256 GB eMMC storage | The extra “extended” RAM helps with multitasking, but it’s not as powerful as real physical RAM. eMMC is slower than newer storage standards, so large file transfers or app installs may feel sluggish. |
| Battery & Charging | 8,000 mAh battery, supports 18 W wired charging + 5 W reverse charging | For typical usage (video, browsing), battery life holds well. Full recharge takes ~2 hours in tests. Reverse charging is handy for topping up peripherals. |
| Cameras | Rear: 13 MP; Front: 8 MP | Serviceable for video calls or scanning, but not a priority feature. |
| Audio | Four speakers (quad setup) | One of the highlights—delivers immersive sound, especially for media consumption. |
| Connectivity & Extras | LTE/4G, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C, microSD slot (up to 1 TB), Android 15 with custom UI | LTE adds flexibility, microSD helps storage expandability, and the software experience becomes very important given hardware constraints. |
Design & Build Quality
At just 7.6 mm thin, the Pad Plus 12″ feels unexpectedly sleek for a device with an 8,000 mAh battery and a 12″ display. The metal alloy finish gives it a premium look, and though it’s large, the build is solid — there’s no noticeable flexing or creaks in daily handling. The tablet is available in three color options: Storm Grey, Sky Blue, Moonlight Silver.
Buttons and ports are well placed. The hybrid SIM/microSD tray is useful, though you have to choose between dual SIM use or storage expansion depending on your needs.
Display & Audio
The 12-inch screen uses a WUXGA+ / 2000 × 1200 resolution IPS display. At around 194 ppi, visuals are good for streaming, reading, and most general tasks. The display supports up to 2160p YouTube playback and offers up to about 450 nits brightness, which is respectable indoors and usable outdoors in many situations, as long you are not viewing it over harsh brightness surrounding you. The 180 Hz touch sampling rate helps make swiping and touch interactions feel responsive with it’s fluid 90Hz screen refresh rate.
On audio, the Pad Plus shines. It has quad stereo speakers (two top, two bottom depending on orientation) which deliver loud, balanced sound suitable for video calls, streaming, and casual gaming without needing external speakers.
Entertainment, Streaming & Media
This is where the Pad Plus 12 shines. The large 12″ display gives you a “portable TV” feel, and thanks to Widevine L1 certification, you can stream HD/Full HD content from popular services such as Netflix. The quad speakers enhance the experience further, offering volume, depth, and clarity unmatched in this price segment.
That said, in live video streams or high-bitrate content, with only very minimal stutters, likely tied to network or system limitations. Also, under direct sunlight or in bright environments, screen visibility is pleasant to be enjoyed with as well.
Gaming & Heavy Tasks
With the Helio G91 and Mali-G52 GPU, heavier 3D games at high graphics settings are challenging. But many popular titles run smoothly on medium settings. In terms of performance, the Pad Plus 12 LTE falls behind premium rivals but that’s expected for its price range.
Under sustained load, expect some throttling or dips in performance, although overheating doesn’t appear to be a major issue as the Helio G91 is classed as an efficient processor along with Android 15 and close to stock UI.
Productivity & Multitasking
The combination of 8 GB RAM plus virtual “extended” 8GB memory supports multitasking fairly well. For document editing, web browsing, video calls, slide presentations, and note taking, it performs competently. Opening too many apps at the same time may eventually show the device’s limitations.
Because the storage is eMMC, file copying, app installs, or loading large files isn’t as snappy as on devices with faster flash storage. Also, the lack of stylus support limits creative or precise input use cases.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery performance is one of the more dependable aspects. In a test playing ~16 episodes of 30-minute shows, it still had ~20% battery at the end. Charging via the 18 W adapter fills the device in around 2 hours. The reverse charging (5 W) is a smart inclusion for emergency top-ups.
Pros & Cons (Summary)
What it does well:
- Excellent media tablet for movies, shows, reading
- Widevine L1 support for HD streaming
- Impressive quad-speaker audio
- LTE connectivity + microSD expansion
- Solid battery life and practical charging features
Trade-offs / Weaknesses:
- eMMC storage is a performance bottleneck for heavy tasks
- Display softness and outdoor visibility issues
- No stylus or pen support
- UI quirks and occasional lag under heavy load
Final Verdict
The TechLife Pad Plus 12 offers a compelling package for users whose primary focus is media consumption, general productivity, and casual gaming without breaking into flagship pricing territory. Its large screen, solid sound, and LTE support make it a strong choice for these use cases.
However, if your needs lean toward high performance, creative workflows, fast storage, or pro gaming, then there are higher-end tablets that will outperform it (for a higher cost). But for many users seeking balance and value, the Pad Plus 12 LTE hits its target well.